Container



Nov. 15, 1927.

H. H. HONIGBAUM Filed March 24, 1927 l/VVENTOR. /90/'/3 /9 ffomyboam Patente! Nov, 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES EABB Y H. EONIGIBA'DM, OF NEW YORK, IN. Y.

CONTAINER.

Applioation flled 1Iarch 24, 1927. Sexigl N0. 177,910.

' This invention is acontaimr and the object of the containe r is to mainta'm the same in closed" position, so that it will not inadvertently open, but to provide for its 5 opening in a simple and eflicient manner when desired.

The invention is adapted for wide appli cation in containers generally, such, for example as cartons, boxe and other enclosures 0f any suitable material, such as paper,

metal, fibre and the like, but for the purpose of illustration, reference may be had thereto when used particularly in conjunction with an envelope.

In the usuail manner of making envelopes, itis the practide to form them from a single blank embod g a plurality of flaps folded over 110 orm the envelope and one of these flaps is generally provided on its under side with a suitable adhesivewhich,

When moistened, is adapted to be secured to the body of the snvelope 150 maintain this flap in closed or sealed condition.

One purpose of the present invention is to entirely eliminate the use of an.adhesive and to provide a simple and eflicient means for securing the flap in closed position without extraneous arts. Thus, in practically carrying out the invention in an envelope,

the flap a1; the open side of the envelope is provided with a slot extending longitudinally of the envelope and the back of the body of the envelope is transversely slit to .form a tongue, which, when the flap of theenvelope is folded down, is adapted to overlie the flap. This tongue is scored er otherwise formed, so that its free end may be passed through the slot in the flap of the envelo e and thereupon returned upon itself in un erlying relattion with a flap, so as to form a hooked ortion adapted to main-- 1tain the envelo e against inadvertent Opening. If it is esired t0 open the envelope, the flap may be withdrawn, o1 if the envelope i s to be' discarded after opening, the flap 01 hook ortion may be merely torn away. In the ormer case, the envelope may 'be used repetitively or in the 1'atter case where the partS ma be torn away, the envelope is unfit for urther use.

those specified, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate d1fie2rent practical embodiments of the invention, but the constructions thereinshown are t0 be understood. as illustrative, only and not as defining the limits of the inv.ention.

Figure 1 shows an envelope-embodying the present invention, this view being taken from the back of the envelope and showing the flap turned up.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, laut showing the fiap t'urned down and locked m place.

Figure 3 is a section 011 the line 33 of Figure 2; and,

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the present invention as embodied in cartons and boxes.

Referring to the drawings and more part1cularly 110 Figures l, 2 and 3, 1 designates an envelope which is, in the main, substantially conventional. It has the usual front 2, a back 3 and a flap 4. These arts are shped in the manner generally employed in the making of conventional envelopes. In associating the invention with an envelope of this kind'the back 3 is provided" with slits 5 extending downwardly from the upper edge of the back for a greater distance than the depth Of the flap 4 and preferably in substantially parallel relation to form between them a tongue 6.

'The flap 4 is provided with a transverse 95 slot 7 substantially equal in length t0 the width of the tongue 6 and juxtaposed with reference to the tongue. When itis desired to close an envelope of this character, the tongue is pulled forward prior to fold- 100 ing down the flap 4, und when the flap i s folded down into the position of Figure 2,

'it extends t0 substantially the bases of the slots 5 leaving the tongue 6 in a Position to overlie the flap.

The tongue is preferably scored or folded under along the line 8, so that after the flap is folded down as described, the en portion 9 of the tongue which lies between the line 8 and the free end of the tongue may be introduoed throu'g'h a slot 7 and returned beneath the tongue after the manner shown in Figure 3 to form said tongue into a substantially hook shape engaging the lower edge 0:E the slot 7. When the tongue is folded inthe manner described tl1is hook ortion will effectually precludemadvertent isengagement of the ton e from the fla and consequently will lock the flap in clos osition until such time as it is desired to manually release the tongue by reversing the operations described.

In Figures 1 to 3, the invention is d'escribed as incorporated in an envelope, but it is not limited to this particular use. Thus as shown in Figure 4, a carton is illustrated es embodying the present invention. The

carton shown is of the general type employed in the packaing of erackers und other, Commodities an is manufactured by the appropriate folding of a. suitable blank. It is not considered necessary. to show the entire blank 01' the who1e carton es the in vention has to do merely with the manner of fastening the flaps of the blank in accordance with the present invention in lieu of the adhesive 0r other fastening menns heretofore employed. The arrangement is the same in Fi re 4 from a structura.l standpoint as in igs. 1 to 3. The flaps 10 and 11 are slit to provide the ton es 6, while'the flaps 12 and 13 are provi ed with slots '2'. The ton es are introduced through and bent bac beneath these slots in the same inanner as in the prec:gding figures.

Figure 5 illustrates the mvention as asso: ciated with the box having a detachable cover. The sides of the body 14 cf the box am slit to form the tongue 6, while the top or cover 15 of the box is provided with the slots 7 and the tongues a-re introduced und bent back in the same manner as in the preceding figures und serve to hold the cover in lace on the box body.

t will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description that the invention is susceptible of employment. in boxes, 09.1- tons and qther oontainers generally adapted to be made f1 0m paper, sheet metal 01 other materials that may be readily bent. The mrrangement is sim& le in construetion, but thoroughly practica in the carrying out of its intended functions. The employment of the present invention in closure construction does not materially add to the cosii of the finished product and entirely eliminates the necessity f01 the employment of adhesives. When the tongues are bent back t0 form the hook retainers as specified, a. s1 1bstantially positive lock is provided whmh cannot inadvertently slip 01 give way without rupture ef the material. The structure is such, moreover, as to utilize the maximum strength of tl1e material, so that such rupture 1s minimized. I wish to cal1 particular attention to the fact that while the closure of the present' invention will lock the coutainer against inadvertent opening or legsening, it nevertheless permits of manual (11S- engagement :Lnd re-engagement of the arts. In other words, it is not necessary 110 dis- 1upt the construction to open the container. The invention.is thus broadly adapted f01 use in envelopes or other cbntainers adapted for postal transit and those classes which require that the container may be readil *opened for inspection by the postal author1- ties. The invention is not restricted to this use, howev'er, as it may be used in hat boxes,

suit boxes, und in all sorts of containers without departing from this invention.

The accompanym drawings illustrate the preferred form of t%e invention, but theinvention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Havin thus fully describedthe invention, what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A container embodying relatively movable' portions, one of which portions is rovided'with a slot, and the other of w eh portions is provided with a ton e extend- 1ng th1ou h the slot and returnepon itself With its ee edge disposed within the cantainer to form a. hook adapted to lock seid portions against relative opening movement.

2. A container embodying relatively movable portions, one of which is rovided with a slot and the other of whic is provided with slits extending into the body thereof from one of its edges to form between seid slits a tongue adapted to extend through the slot am]. to be returned upon itself to form a hook with its free edge within the coutainer and adapbed t'o secure said portions against inadvertent opening movement.

3. A container embodying relatively movable portions, one of which is provided with a slot extending Ion 'tudinully 0f seid portion and of apprecia 1y less length than the length of said ortion a1id the other of whiph portions is provided with a tongue of substantially the same width as the length of the slot, said tongue formed withinthe coufines of the said ortion and adapted t0 extend through the slot and being returned upon itself t0 form a hook adapted to lock the portions against relative opening move1 ment.

4. As a, new article of manufacture, an 7 envelope, the flap of which is rovided with tongue being formed within the'confines of a 10ng1tudimll slot of apprecia ly lass length the said portion and ha.ving its free edge V than the length of the envelope and the back confined within the container. 10 of which envelope is cut to form a tongue In testimony whereof I have signed the 5 extendin through the slot and returned foregoing specification.

upon itse f (o form a hook adapted to retain the flap against inadvertent opening5 said HARRY H. HONIGBAUM. 

